As part of the Accelerated Midwifery Training Programme being undertaken in Ethiopia by the Ministry of Health, 245 midwives graduated in May 2012 after completing one year of training.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, awarded the graduates their credentials at Shashemene Health Science College. “You will help us in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the coming years to meet the MDGs,” he said. He urged them to apply and improve the skills they have acquired at the college.
UNFPA Representative, Mr. Benoit Kalasa, also addressed the graduates. “We have every hope that you will give quality care and prevent the needless death of pregnant women and newborns,” he said.
They were trained in clinical nursing for three years before enrolling in the one year accelerated midwifery programme. The midwives indicated while taking their oath that they would strive to ensure that no woman dies giving life and pledged to ensure that no child would be born with HIV. The graduates practiced in 30 health institutions and also made home visits. It was disclosed that each one of them had assisted with more than 20 deliveries.
Accelerated Midwifery Programme
The Ministry of Health started the one-year Accelerated Midwifery Programme (AMP) initiative while continuing to train midwives through the regular midwifery programme. The objective of the AMP is to achieve a minimum midwife-to-population ratio and increase skilled birth attendance and reproductive health services, especially in the rural areas. Moreover, the programme aims at narrowing the gap in health service delivery and strengthening the midwifery profession.
The AMP, which is being implemented in 15 midwifery training institutions in six regions in Ethiopia, aims to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity and accelerate the achievement of MDG 5. Reports show that Ethiopia is one of the eight high burden countries that are contributing 60 per cent of maternal deaths globally.
Every year more than 14,000 women die in Ethiopia due to pregnancy and childbirth, and only 10 per cent of women deliver at health facilities. The AMP is a response to the country’s Human Resources for Health Strategy, which has set a target of training 8,635 midwives by the year 2015. During 2012, 1600 midwives are expected to graduate in the AMP, including those who graduated from the Shashemene Health Science College.
UNFPA provided financial and technical support of more than 16 million Birr and will continue to fund the progrmme. The funding was secured from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
Midwives to be deployed at rural health centres
The graduates who will be deployed at rural health centres are expected to boost skilled attendance at birth and improve provision of reproductive health services across the country. According to the Ministry of Heath, two midwives will be deployed at each health centre.
